Wolves have become a typical title contender – with their dogged away day displays.
In February this year, Wolverhampton Wanderers were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline as the Championship’s champions elect battled to victory away from home.
Newcastle United were the victors that day, but the tables have turned now, and Wolves are the high-flyers showing themselves capable of scrapping for points at the top.
In the game at Molyneux where Rafa Benitez’s men came out on top, a series of first-half chances resulted in Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goal, before the visitors dug in and kept a clean sheet.
Similarly, against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday, Wolves netted in the opening 45 minutes and then had to withstand an aerial barrage late in the game.
Wednesday threw on big front men in Atdhe Nuhiu and Lucas Joao, but Wolves were able to cope defensively and ensured their lead at the top of the table was extended to seven points.
Performances such as these will almost give supporters more delight than the demolitions of poor sides; the cliche goes that these wins are the hallmarks of champions.
Indeed, with players like Helder Costa, Wolves were capable of the occasional dazzling display last season – they won away at Newcastle – but they lacked the consistency and the solidity to challenge.
This term the attack has been improved, but perhaps more importantly the defence looks significantly better, too, after a third straight clean sheet.
As Wolves’ charge towards the title continues, it will be wins such as this one at Hillsborough that fans and players reflect on particularly fondly.
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